Torpedo-launching apparatus.



T. M00. GUNN.

TORPEDO LAUNCHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1913.

Patented May 26, 1914.

2 SHBBTSSHEET 1.

v, E N 0" H I Wh rl/1974 WITNESSES T. MoG. G'UNN.

TORPEDO LAUNCHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1913.

Patented May 26, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES ATTO/IIJEK vtubes.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MGGHEYNE GUNN, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 ELECTRICBOAT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TORPEDO-LAUNCHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented May 26, 1914.

Application filed January 4, 1913. Serial No. 740,186.

To'aZZ whom it inay concern: Be it known that I, THOMAS MCCHEYNE -GUNN,a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at and whose post-ofiice address is New London, county of NewLondon, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Torpedo- Launching Apparatus; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to torpedo launching apparatus, whereby atorpedo tube or a number of them may be located nearer the end of theboat than was heretofore practical, and with the additional advantage ofpermitting such fine and substantially smooth hull lines in submarineboats as to promote their speed and diving possibilities in runs ofendurance as well as in warfare.

Heretofore in some submarine boats the forward ends of the torpedo tubeswere extended to the bow portion of the boat, but, since the tubes haveheretofore been mounted in parallelism with the center line of the boat,this arrangement prevented fine hull lines at this place as a result ofthe width required there to accommodate the torpedo In other casesswinging doors in the hull were installed in the firing line of torpedotubes rigidly mounted in parallelism with the center line of the boat,but then the torpedo tubes either had to beset back in the boat toobtain fine hull lines or else the idea of" fine hull lines had to begiven up in order to economize in the length of the boat.

So far as I am aware, no arrangement has been disclosed in the prior artwherein fine hull lines are obtained at the end ofa boat in which thetorpedo tubes are intended to be fired underneath the surface of thewater, and wherein at the same time the torpedo tubes may be installedwell toward the end of the boat to save in the length thereof. Accordingto my invention, these results are nicely attained by pivotally mountingthe torpedo-tubes near the bow, or stern, as the case may be; andespecially in my preferred construction by pivotally mounting eachtorpedo tube near its rear end in such manner as to swing outwardly as aunit with a corresponding movable hull portion into the opening producedin the hull, whereby in the normal position all the torpedo tubes liewithin the boat substantially along the sides of the hull and close tothe center line of the boat, while for firing, the torpedo tube isprojected outside the normal line of the hull. Furthermore, in thispreferred arrangement, the cap is mounted apart from its torpedo tubeand swung simultaneously with it in such manner as to always be out ofthe way of the moving torpedo tube or tubes and also so as to be outsideof all the firing lines thereof at theend of the operation. Also, themovable hull portions are so arranged relatively to the rigid portionthat normally a substantially uninterrupted outer surface is presentedto the water, thereby promoting speed and diving possibilities in thecase of submarine boats. In this way also the recurring favorablemoments of fire, which usually disappear quickly each time in warfare,are more likely to be suflicient for firing without undue preparation,by reason of the single driving operation required to entirely clear theline of fire of any one of the torpedo tubes, than would be the case ifthe movements were obtained by separate driving operations. Furthermore,each torpedo tube and the operating mecha nism thereof is separate fromall the others and independently operable, so that the firing operationis simpler and more direct than would be obtained by a combinedarrangement. In devising an arrangement for these purposes, aconstruction has been obtained which embodies several novel featuresapplicable for discharging torpedoes from torpedo tubes in variousinstallations as well as in submarine boats. For example, the specificform of operating mechanism for swinging a torpedo tube and its cap isserviceable in torpedo launching apparatus of various kinds in boats andother places, whether the torpedo tube is associated with a swingingdoor or not, and whether the specific kind of torpedo cap disclosedherein or another kind is used. Also, the mounting on which the torpedotube is swung and through which operating fluid for the discharge of thetorpedo is conducted within the tube, is applicable in general toapparatus for discharging torpedoes from swinging torpedo tubes.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred term of myinvention 8p with the rigid hull portion a substantially plied to asubmarine boat as an example, Figure 1, represents a sectional plan of apart of the bow showing the upper torpedo tubes on the two sides of theboat, together with the operating mechanism therefor; F ig. 2, is asection on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing two superposed torpedo tubes onone side of the boat, wherein the guides for guiding the torpedo tubesin their swinging movements are particularly illustrated; Fig. 8,represents a front elevation of one torpedo tube, particularly showingpart of the cap operating mechanism therefor; Fig. 4, represents a rearelevation of two superposed torpedo tubes on one side of the boat; andFig. 5, is a section, partly broken away, on line 5-5 of Fig. 1,particularly showing the trunnion bearings of a torpedo tube and thedevices for discharging the torpedo from its tube. I

The fine lines at the end of the boat, tending to promote speed andsuperior action 1ndiving, are shownin F ig. 1 at the bow of the boat forfiring forwardly, although it is to be understood that a similararrangement may be provided at the stern of the boat for firingrearwardly, the fine lines of this portion also being essential in theserespects. The rigid portion of the hull is denoted by l and theoutwardly movable hull portions are denoted by 2. Each of the movablehull portions lies closely against the side of the hull so as to becapable of swinging outwardly therefrom about the center of movement ofthe corresponding torpedo tube, and so as to normally form smooth oruninterrupted outer surface.

It is usual to provide a plurality of torpedo tubes in a submarine boat,and my invention lends itself to the simultaneous or collective movementof the torpedo tubes to their respective firing positions, although itappears preferable to preserve the simplicity and directness of thefiring operation by providing a movable hull portion for each torpedotube separate from each of the others and independently operable.Therefore, I show four torpedo tubes 3, two being arranged in superposedrelation on each side of the longitudinal center line of the boat,wherein the operating mechanism for each torpedo tube is intended to beactuated independently of that for the other tubes.

Each torpedo tube 3 is mounted on trunnions near its rear end, and isrigidly connected to a movable hull portion 2 by the metal section 4.The forward end of the torpedo tube carries a collar 5 fastened to themovable hull portion 2 and adapted to slide in guides 6 for guiding thetorpedo tube and the movable hull section in their swinging movements.In the normallyclosed position, the torpedo tubes lie within the boatalong the hull and close to the longitudinal center line of the boat, asshown in full lines in Fig. 1, while for firing, each torpedo tube andthe corresponding movable hull portion is swung outwardly and thetorpedo tube itself is swung'into the opening in the hull producedthereby to the position indicated by the broken lines in.

Fig. 1. In the normal position, a cap 7 fits over the forward end ofeach torpedo tube. Simultaneously with the mgvement of a tube thecorresponding cap is swung about a stationary pivot in such manner. asalways to be out of the path of'the tube and of all the other tubes, andfinally so as to be entirely outside the line of fire. It is apparentthat the torpedo tubes may be swung into firing line with the respectiveopenings produced in the hull without actually being projectedthereinto, although the illustrated construction is to be preferredwhere itis desirable to compact the torpedo tubes so far as possible inthe end of theboat.

Independent operating mechanism for moving the parts is provided for thetorpedo tubes, and the arrangement is such that none of the parts of oneunit interferes with the operation of any of the others or projectswithin any of the firing lines. The preferred form of each operatingmechanism includes a shaft 8 properly journaled, and extending fromsuitable driving means within the submarine boat to the torpedo tubecap. This shaft carries a worm 9 in engagement with a toothed segment10, which is coupled to an operating connection 11 'pivoted to thetorpedo tube near the rear end thereof. Screw threads on-the forward endof the shaft 8 engage a square nut 12, which is held against rotation byan operating arm 13 fastened on a shaft 14 carrying the cap 7. (See Fig.Thus when the shaft is rotated by suitable driving mechanism (not shown)the torpedo tube is swung on its trunnions, thereby swinging the movablehull portion outwardly at the same time that the torpedo tube is beingswung into the opening in the hull produced thereby to a clearfiringposition substantially in line with the direction of motion of the boat.At the same time the cap 7 is being swung so as to continually be out ofthe way of the moving torpedo and so as to be outside of the firing lineof the torpedo tube at the end of the operation.

The bearing in which each torpedo tube is mounted comprises cuppedsections '15 embracing an enlargement 16 of spherical form and near therear end thereof to a connection with a valve in a pipe 18 leading froma source of operating fluid, in order to conduct the operating fluid toa point behind the torpedo 19 for discharging the torpedo from its tube.A grease cup 20 is provided for lubricating the friction surfaces. Therear caps 21 for the torpedo tubes are of the ordinary form.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combinationwith a torpedo boat,

of a torpedo tube permanently pivoted within the hull of the boat anddesigned to swing away from the center line thereof from a housedposition within the lines of the hull to a firing position with itsdischarge end outside of the lines of the hull, and mechanism forswinging the torpedo tube on its pivot bet-ween said housed position andsaid firing position; substantially as described. V 2. The combinationwith a boat having a rigid hull portion, and a movable hull portionadapted to be projected outwardly from the rigid hull portion to producean opening in the hull suitable for the discharge of a torpedotherethrough, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted within the boat, andmeans for moving the movable hull sect-ion outwardly and for swingingthe torpedo tube into firing line with the opening in the hull producedthereby; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion adapted to be swung relatively to the rigid hullportion to produce an opening in the hull suitable for the projection ofa torpedo tube thereinto, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted within theboat in such manner as to normally lie within the normal hull line ofthe boat, and means for swinging the movable hull portion and forswinging the torpedo tube into the opening in the hull produced thereby;substantially as described. e

4. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion adapted to be projected outwardly from the rigidhull portionto produce an opening in the hull suitable for theprojection of a.

torpedo tube thereinto, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted within theboat in such manner as to normally lie within the normal hull line ofthe boat, and means for moving the movable hull portion outwardly andfor swinging the torpedo tube into the opening in the hull producedthereby; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion near one end of the boat arranged relatively to therigid hull portion in such mannerlas to present a substantiallyuninterrupted outer surface when in its normallyclosed position andadapted to be swung outwardly from its normally-closed position toproduce an opening in the hull suitable for the projection of a torpedotube thereinto, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted within the boat insuch manner as to normally lie within the normal hull lines of the boat,and means for swinging the movable hull portion outwardly to its openposition and for swinging the torpedo tube into the opening producedthereby; substantially as described.

6. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion adapted to be moved outwardly relatively to therigid hull portion to produce an opening in the hull suitable for thedischarge of a torpedo therethrough, of a torpedo tube pivotally mountedwithin the boat and connected to the movable hull portion, and operatingmechanism for swinging the movable hull portion and the torpedo tube atthe same time for the purpose of producing an opening in the hull andsimultaneously swinging the torpedo tube into firing line therewith;substantially as described.

7. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion near one end of the boat arranged relatively to therigid hull portion in such manner as to present a substantiallyuninterrupted outer surface when in its normally closed position andadapted to be swung outwardly from its normally-closed position toproduce an opening in the hull suitable for the projection of a torpedotube thereinto, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted near its rear end insuch manner as to normally lie within the normal hull lines of the boatand connected to the movable hull portion to swing therewith as a unit,and operating mechanism for swinging the movable hull portion to itsopen position and for simultaneously swinging the torpedo into theopening produced thereby; substantially as described.

8. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion adapted to be'moved relatively thereto in suchmanner as to produce an opening in the hull suitable for the dischargeof a torpedo therethrough, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted withinthe boat and having a cap at its forward end, and operating mechanismfor moving the parts to such positions that the torpedo tube is infiring line with the opening in the hull while the cap is outside ofthat line; substantially as described.

9. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion, and amovable hull portion near one end of the boat arranged relatively to therigid hull portion in such manner as to present a substantiallyuninterrupted outer surface when in 1ts normally closed sition andadapted to be swung outwar 1y from its normally-closed position toproduce an opening in the hull suitable for the projection of a torpedotube thereinto, of a torpedo tube pivotally'mounted near its rear end insuch manner as to normally lie within the normal hull lines of the boatand rigidly connected to the movable hull portion to swing together as aunit, a torpedo cap disconnected from the torpedo tube and adapted tofit over the forward end thereof in the normal position of the parts,and operatingmechanism for swinging the movable hull section to its openposition and simultaneously swinging the torpedo tube into the openingproduced thereby, the cap being simultaneously swung out of the path ofthe torpedo tube and out of the firing line thereof at the end of themovement; substantially as described.

10. In apparatus for launching torpedoes, the combination of a torpedotube mounted for swinging movement about a point near its rear end, anda torpedo tube cap adapted to cover the forward end of the torpedo inthe normal position thereof and mounted to swing about a fixed center,of operating mechanism for swinging the torpedo tube into a firingposition and for swinging the torpedo tube cap about its center so as toextend outside of the path of the torpedo tube and to be outside of thefiring line of the torpedo tube in the firing position thereof;substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus for launching torpedoes, the combination of atorpedo tube mounted for swingin movement about a point near its rear enand a torpedo tube cap adapted to cover the forward end of the torpedoin the normal position thereof and mounted to swing about a fixedcenter, of operating mechanism for swinging the torpedo tube into aclear firing posit-ion, comprising a rotatable s'haft, a gear fastenedon the shaft, an operating connection connected to the torpedo tube, asegment coupled to the operating connection and in driving engagementwith the gear, a nut engaging screw crating mechanism for swinging thetorpe 0.

tube, of a supporting guide near the forward end of the torpedo tube forsupporting and guiding the forward end of the torpedo tube in itsswinging movement; substantially as described.

13. The combination with a boat having a rigid hull portion and anoutwardly movable hull portion adapted to be swung to an open positionrelatively thereto to produce an opening suitable for the projection ofa torpedo tube thereinto, of a torpedo tube pivotally mounted within theboat and fastened to the movable hull portion, a guide for the torpedotube, and operating mechanism for swinging the torpedo tube to itsfiring position, the arrangement being such that the movable hullportion is guided outwardly in its movement to produce an opening in thehull while the torpedo tube is guided to a position in which it projectsinto the opening; substantially as described.

14. The combination with a torpedo tube, of trunnions for supportingsaid torpedo tube for swinging movement, one of said trunnions having aconduit passing from within the torpedo tube to a connection with asource of operating fluid for discharging the torpedo from within thetorpedo tube; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS MoCHE YNE GUNIN.

Witnesses F. L. BRAKE, SUSIE J. SMITH.

